Elkhorn Coral Conservation Project Curacao

To study coral restoration, especially for elkhorn corals, in Curacao

In 2010,
SECORE initiated a research project on coral restoration together with the
CARMABI Foundation and the Curacao Sea Aquarium. The aim of the project is to
better understand sexual reproduction of endangered coral species, especially
of the elkhorn coral, and to apply the gained knowledge for reef restoration.

The
project outcomes are an important basis for reef conservation in general and
for new SECORE project locations elsewhere. Annual field training workshops and
outreach programmes are essential elements of the project.

SECORE,
in collaboration with universities of the Netherlands, Guam, Germany and
Singapore, carries out an over-regional research approach to develop new
techniques for large-scale coral reef restoration. One project is conducted at
Curacao and a corresponding project takes place at Guam in collaboration with
the Marine Lab of the University of Guam.

WAZA Conservation Project 14003 is implemented by a consortium consisting of the SECORE Foundation, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, CARMABI Foundation and Curacao Sea Aquarium. The project is supported by Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Shedd Aquarium, Curacao Sea Aquarium, Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo, Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, Georgia Aquarium and Steinhart Aquarium. Other stakeholders involved in the project include the CARMABI Foundation, University of Amsterdam, Penn State University and local dive schools.